Question Unattended Windows installation: Which app is a good one to use for this purpose? and can you customize it with settings and wallpaper (etc)

[kreemerz]

So I have a 5 machine home lab. No server and no domain controller or anything like that. Just 5 computers (Dell, Gigabyte & Asus laptops) I want to look and function the same. can you customize the unattended installation with settings and wallpaper (etc) so that it installs on whatever machine I use it on?

I want to install a uniform version of Windows 10 Pro to all machines. I’ve seen several Unattended Windows install apps (smart deploy, answers.xml) But unsure if they allow you to choose what I believe should be the default settings including power settings, wallpaper, account logos, etc…

 

[mxnerd]

Without a domain controller server with group policy that can be applied to individual domain joined PC, there is just no easy way to customize a group of PCs.

You have to search every settings you want to customize and create a CUSTOMIZE.reg file that can be shared on a device (a PC or NAS since you don't have a server)

Let's say it's called LOGON folder (ready only, so other PCs have no rights to delete it) every PCs on the network connect the folder as L: drive permanently. When the user login into his/her machine, the StartUp folder has a link to the shared CUSTOMIZE.reg so the registry file can be read and regsitry add/delete/mod action can be executed.

Or probably a batch file to modify the registry. https://forums.ivanti.com/s/article/How-to-use-Registry-Keys-in-a-Batch-File?language=en_US

reg commands

Reference article for the reg commands, which perform operations on registry subkey information and values in registry entries.

docs.microsoft.com

It's exactly how the server applies group policies without using registry/batch/script files.

How to add, modify, or delete registry subkeys and values by using a .reg file - Google Suche

I hope my current memory is not too bad.

 

[mxnerd]

Also without a server to apply application deploment group policy, you can use Ansible

ansible.windows.win_package module – Installs/uninstalls an installable package — Ansible Community Documentation

docs.ansible.com

 

[kreemerz]

Well, I guess it doesn't matter so much about the need to deploy it to multiple machines.

I can install it from a thumb drive.
With that said, is it possible to just create a custom windows install file that is bootable and where I can put the settings in it so that it installs the way I want it to?

 

[mxnerd]

Maybe MSGM Toolkit? https://msmgtoolkit.in/ Didn't try.

Is there a 100% free NTLite alternative?

ive been playing around with NTLite for a couple hours, but am facing a problem. half teh tuff is behind a license wall. Are there any free alternatives to the licenced mode on NTLite?

linustechtips.com

BTW, I personally will have Open Shell Menu on every machine to replace Windows Start Menu

==

Trying to customize Windows is a daunting task, there are just too many settings (thousands & thhousands) out there without proper tools (including not having a domain controoler to apply group policies)

 

[mxnerd]

Oh, I completely forget Sysprep (new installaion only)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sysprep